Wax compositions and surface tension

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a method of using surface tension to control the manufacture of candles until a surface tension ranging from 20 to 30 dynes/cm is achieved.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to wax compositions comprising natural oils andusing surface tension to control the purification of the wax compositionor the formulation of a candle to improve candle properties.

BACKGROUND

Candles have been known and used for illumination since earlycivilization. The earliest candles are thought to have been developed bythe Egyptians who soaked the pithy cores of reeds in molten tallow andto make rushlights or torches. The Romans are credited with developingthe first candle which utilized a wick. The Romans also used tallow,derived from cattle or sheep suet, for candle wax. During the MiddleAges, beeswax was found to be suitable in candles. Beeswax candles weredesirable over other candles because beeswax does not produce a smokyflame, or emit unpleasant odor when burned. Then, as now, beeswaxcandles were expensive, and prohibitively so, preventing most peoplefrom enjoying their advantages. Candles produced from molds firstappeared in 15^(th) century France. Over the centuries, candletechnology has refined and improved.

Today, more consumers are demanding candle wax formulations based uponnatural materials, and more particularly plant-based oils. However, theproduction of candles from these formulations sometimes demonstratecracking, air pocket formation, product shrinkage and a natural productodor associated with vegetable materials. Various soybean-based waxeshave been reported to suffer performance problems relating to optimumflame height, effective wax and wick performance matching for an evenburn, soot, maximum burning time, failure to achieve a consistentappearance upon resolidification after melting, product colorintegration and/or product shelf life.

Accordingly, there remains opportunity to improve the aesthetic andfunctional properties of natural oil wax formulations.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a method of using surface tension to control themanufacture of candles until a surface tension ranging from 20 to 30dynes/cm is achieved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application relates to natural oil wax compositions,specifically candle wax compositions and the use of surface tension tocontrol the purification of the wax compositions to improve candleproperties, for example rate of consumption, decrease potentialinteractions in formulations, and flame height, and improve consistencyof said candle properties during the life of the candle.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example,reference to “a substituent” encompasses a single substituent as well astwo or more substituents, and the like.

As used herein, the terms “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” or“including” are meant to introduce examples that further clarify moregeneral subject matter. Unless otherwise specified, these examples areprovided only as an aid for understanding the applications illustratedin the present disclosure, and are not meant to be limiting in anyfashion.

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings unlessexpressly stated to the contrary. It is understood that any term in thesingular may include its plural counterpart and vice versa.

As used herein, the term “natural oil” may refer to oils derived fromplant or animal sources or byproducts from crude streams thereof. Theterm “natural oil” includes natural oil derivatives, unless otherwiseindicated. Examples of plant-based oils include, but are not limited to,vegetable oils, algae oils, tall oils, derivatives of these oils,combinations of any of these oils, and the like. Representativenon-limiting examples of plant-based oils include canola oil, rapeseedoil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanutoil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil,palm kernel oil, tung oil, jatropha oil, mustard oil, camelina oil,pennycress oil, hemp oil, algal oil, and castor oil. Representativenon-limiting examples of animal sources include lard, tallow, poultryfat, yellow grease, and fish oil. Tall oils are by-products of wood pulpmanufacture. In certain aspects, the natural oil may be refined,bleached, and/or deodorized (also known as “RBD”) according to methodscommonly known in the art.

As used herein, the term “natural oil derivatives” is synonymous with“modified natural oil” and refers to the compounds or mixture ofcompounds derived from the natural oil using any one or combination ofmethods known in the art. Such methods include but are not limited tosaponification, transesterification, esterification,interesterification, hydrogenation (partial or full), isomerization,oxidation, polymerization, and reduction.

Wax Composition

The present wax compositions relate to waxes comprising natural oilsand/or natural oil derivatives which can be used in candles. The waxestypically have a low paraffin content (less than 50%, and typically muchlower amounts). The candles are typically formed from a natural oil or anatural oil derivative. Since the candles may be formed from a materialwith a low paraffin content and may be substantially devoid of paraffin(e.g. contain no more than about 0.5 wt. % paraffin), the candles aregenerally clean burning, emitting very little soot. The combination oflow soot emission, biodegradability and production from renewable rawmaterial makes the present waxes and candles particularlyenvironmentally friendly products.

The present wax compositions are typically solid at room temperature,firm but not brittle, generally somewhat malleable, have no free oilvisible and are particularly suited for use in forming many types ofcandles, such as container candles, votive candles, and pillar candles.The present waxes are also generally capable of providing consistentcharacteristics, such as appearance, upon cooling and resolidification(e.g., after being burned in a candle) of the melted wax. In addition,it is desirable that the wax composition is capable of being blendedwith natural color additives to provide an even, solid colordistribution. It is also desirable that the wax composition is capableof being blended with other additives, such as perfumes or otherfragrances, and preferably be capable of exhibiting good fragrance throwwhen the wax/fragrance blend is burned. It is further desirable that thewax composition is resistant to chalking and fat bloom.

Furthermore, the wax compositions of the present inventions are capableof having a surface tension that can be controlled, desirable burnproperties (including both a desirable rate of consumption and flameheight) and desirable glass adhesion properties.

In some aspects, the wax composition includes at least one of or acombination of glycerol monstearates and fatty acids. In some aspects,the wax composition includes a polyol fatty acid and/or fatty acid estercomponent (made up of partial and/or esterified polyols), for exampletriglycerides or transesterified or esterified derivatives. Very oftenthe polyol fatty acid ester component has been subjected to aninteresterification reaction, e.g., by treatment with a basic catalyst,such as a sodium alkoxide. For example the polyol ester component mayinclude a polyol fatty acid ester component formed by a process whichcomprises interesterifying a polyol fatty acid ester precursor mixture.Due to their desirable melting characteristics, the polyol ester basedwaxes having a melting point of about 48° C. to about 75° C. can beparticularly advantageous for use in forming candles. Commonly, thepolyol ester based waxes include at least about 51 wt. % of a polyolfatty acid ester component (and more desirably at least about 70 wt. %).More typically, the wax includes at least about 51 wt. % of a esterifiedpolyol ester component (e.g., a mixture of triacylglycerol compoundsoptionally combined with esters of other polyols), and preferablyincludes at least 70 wt. % of the esterified polyol. Very often, theesterified polyol ester component has been subjected tointeresterification conditions. The interesterification of a mixture ofpolyol esters may be conducted on a mixture which also includes one ormore polyol partial esters, e.g., a fatty acid monoglyceride and/orfatty acid diglyceride.

In some aspects, the wax composition includes other components such as amineral wax, a free fatty acid, a solid natural wax (such as plant waxor insect wax), and/or other renewable resource based wax. These waxesare preferably present in the composition up to about 49 wt %, and oftenin much lower amounts. The mineral wax may be a petroleum wax such as amedium paraffin wax, a microcrystalline paraffin wax and/or a petroleumwax obtained from crude oil refined to other degrees. In another aspect,the wax composition includes no more than about 25 wt % of the alternatewaxes. In still another aspect, the wax composition includes no morethan about 10% by weight of the alternate waxes and may not contain analternate wax at all.

In some aspects, the wax composition may include no more than about 5 to15 wt % 16:0 fatty acids in its fatty acid profile, no more than about10 wt % fatty acids having hydroxyl groups, and/or no more than about 25wt % fatty acids having less than 16 carbon atoms or more than 18 carbonatoms. In other aspects, the wax composition may include at least about51 wt % of the polyol fatty acid ester component, and preferably includeat least about 51 wt % of a esterified polyol fatty acid estercomponent.

In some aspects, the wax composition comprises a combination of one ormore of monoacylglycerols (MAGs), diacylglycerols (DAGs), andtriacylglycerols (TAGs).

In some aspects, the wax composition can include between approximately0.1-10 percent by weight TAGs, approximately 1-8 percent by weight TAGs,or approximately 2-5 percent by weight TAGs.

In some aspects, the wax composition can include between approximately30-95 percent by weight MAGs and DAGs combined, approximately 40-80percent by weight MAGs and DAGs combined, approximately 45-65 percent byweight MAGs and DAGs combined, or approximately 50-60 percent by weightMAGs and DAGs combined.

In some aspects, the wax composition can include between approximately5-65 percent by weight MAGs, approximately 15-55 percent by weight MAGs,approximately 25-45 percent by weight MAGs, or approximately 30-40percent by weight MAGs. In yet other aspects, the wax composition caninclude between approximately 1-50 percent by weight DAGs, approximately5-35 percent by weight DAGs, approximately 10-30 percent by weight DAGs,or approximately 15-25 percent by weight DAGs.

In some aspects, the wax composition can include between approximately0.1 percent by weight and approximately 65 percent by weight of a fattyacid. In another aspect, the wax composition can include betweenapproximately 5 percent by weight and 60 percent by weight of a fattyacid. In another aspect, the wax composition can include betweenapproximately 30 percent by weight and 50 percent by weight of a fattyacid. In yet another aspect, the wax composition can include betweenapproximately 35 percent by weight and 45 percent by weight of a fattyacid.

In some aspects, the wax composition can include approximately 0.1-10percent by weight TAGs; approximately 30-95 percent by weight MAGs andDAGs combined, and approximately 0.1-65 percent by weight fatty acid. Incertain aspects, the wax composition comprises between 5-65 percent byweight MAGs and between 1-50 percent by weight DAGs.

In some aspects, the wax composition can include approximately 1-8percent by weight TAGs, approximately 40-80 percent by weight MAGs andDAGs combined, and approximately 5-60 percent by weight fatty acid. Insome aspects, the composition comprises between 15-55 percent by weightMAGs and between 5-35 percent by weight DAGs.

In some aspects, the wax composition has approximately 2-5 percent byweight TAGs, approximately 45-65 percent by weight MAGs and DAGscombined, and approximately 30-50 percent by weight fatty acid. Incertain aspects, the wax composition comprises between 25-45 percent byweight MAGs and between 10-30 percent by weight DAGs.

In some aspects, the wax composition has approximately 2-5 percent byweight TAGs, approximately 30-40 percent by weight MAGs, approximately15-25 percent by weight DAGs, and approximately 35-45 percent by weightfatty acid.

In some aspects, the wax composition comprises a high TAG content,wherein a majority of the wax, at least about 50 wt %, preferably atleast about 75 wt %, and most preferably at least about 90 wt %, is aTAG component.

In some aspects, the wax composition comprises an at least partiallyhydrogenated natural oil having an Iodine Value ranging from about 45 toabout 70, and more preferably from about 45 to about 55, and even morepreferably from about 50 to 55, wherein Iodine Value (IV) is determinedby the Wijs method (AOCS Cd 1-25).

In some aspects, the wax composition is a blend of partiallyhydrogenated soybean oil and fully hydrogenated palm oil, wherein thepartially hydrogenated soybean oils makes up 70-90 wt % of the blend andhydrogenated palm oil makes up the remaining balance. In more preferredaspects, partially hydrogenated soybean oil makes up 80-85 wt % of theblend and hydrogenated palm oil makes up the remaining balance.

In some aspects, the wax composition primarily comprises paraffin andincludes a minor amount of natural oil.

In some aspects, the wax composition has a solid fat content (measuredat 10° C.) from about 80-100% (determined by AOCS Cd 16b-93) and in someaspects the solid fat content ranges from about 85-95%.

Achieving Desired Wax Composition and/or Finished Candle Formulation

There are many purification steps that can be incorporated in theprocess of manufacturing a candle wax composition utilizing natural oiland/or natural oil derivative as the starting material source. It shallbe understood that such natural oils and derivatives inherently containimpurities and certain esterification, hydrogenation, etc., reactionsthat take place to achieve the candle wax composition described hereinincorporate additional impurities that have a significant impact oncandle wax formulations. Accordingly, there is a desire to control theconcentration of these impurities completely or to a consistent level toimprove the overall performance of the wax composition. Purification canbe achieved through various methods commonly known in the art, forexample chemical and/or physical refining, water washing, bleaching,deodorizing or filtration. As a person skilled in the art knows, eachstep has the objective of extracting impurities in the oil, for examplebut not limited to, phosphatides and solids, free fatty acids, metals(Ca⁺², Mg⁺², Fe⁺², Cu⁺², etc.), pigments, soaps, metals, steroids,nickel, pesticides tocopherols, sterol glucosides, sterol glucosideesters and phospholipids. These components are known to interfere withsurface tension, accordingly the control or removal of which isdesirable.

Described herein is a method of purifying the wax composition of theimpurities described above via the utilization of surface tension toachieve a wax composition desirable for candle wax compositions. Itshall be understood that surface tension can be used to control variousmethods of purification (refining, water washing, bleaching,deodorizing, fractionation, etc.), either upstream or downstreamprocessing of the wax composition. In preferred aspects describedherein, surface tension is utilized during filtration to controlpurification of wax compositions for candle wax applications.

As an example, the filtration process of a wax composition can utilize afiltration media with an affinity of absorbing and/or adsorbing certainimpurity components. Preferred filtration media includesilica-containing compositions such as commercially available Tri-Syl100, Tri-Syl 300, or Oil-Dri Pure-Flo Perform 6000. In other aspects,the filtration media can include commercially available Microsorb 00/90,Magnesol, and Alumina 14-28 Mesh, for example.

To improve filtering performance, a filter aid can be used. A filter aidcan be added to the oil directly and/or it may be applied to the filter.Representative examples of filtering aids include inorganic substratessuch as diatomaceous earth, silica, alumina, and carbon. Typically, thefiltering aid is used in an amount of about 10 wt % or less, forexample, about 5 wt % or less, or about 1 wt % or less of the oil.

It shall be understood that filtration can include selective filtrationas certain filtration medias and filtration aids are designed to removeunique impurities. Accordingly, the design of the filtration processwill depend on the natural oil material being used as they each haveunique impurity profiles. Furthermore, the desired rate of consumptionand/or flame height properties of the candle wax composition can alsoinfluence filtration processing and which impurities are most importantto control.

As one example of purification, the filtration step occurs attemperatures above the melting point of the wax composition and mayoptionally be ignited with an inert gas, for example but not limited tonitrogen, to reduce oxidation. Further, it shall be understood that inpreferred aspects, the filtration takes place after the partial or fullhydrogenation step; however, the filtration may also take place beforethe partial or full hydrogenation step.

In describing natural wax candle burn performance the rate at which waxis able to flow up the wick is critical. Affecting this rate are variousparameters, e.g. viscosity, solids content, impurity profile and surfacetensions. As most natural waxes are triglycerides of similar bulkchemical composition, the latter is greatly determined by the byminiscule amounts of natural surfactants present (impurity profile). Ithas been surprisingly found that the surface tension can be used as aunifying parameter not only for the control of wax manufacture but forthe control of finished candle manufacture, i.e., it has been found thatmeasured surface tension correlates highly with the burn performanceregardless of triglyceride or non-natural wax bulk composition. Further,it is a simple and fast method well suited for the productionenvironment.

Surface Tension

Aspects of the present invention includes a method using surface tension(as described herein, surface tension is measured using ASTM MethodD1331-14, Method C, at a temperature of 70° C.) to control themanufacture of candles, including the purification of candle waxcompositions and/or the finishing of the overall candle formulation, toimprove candle properties and improve the consistency of said candleproperties. An aspect of the present invention comprises purifying amodified natural oil and monitoring surface tension until a surfacetension ranging from about 20 dynes/cm to about 30 dynes/cm is achieved.Another aspect of the present invention is formulating a candle andmonitoring surface tension until a surface tension ranging from about 20dynes/cm to about 30 dynes/cm is achieved.

Without being bound by any theory, controlling surface tension withinthis range provides insight on the desirable elimination or control ofimpurities that impact the burn performance of a candle. Furthermore,surface tension effectively measures miniscule amounts of contaminantsthat impact candle wax performance below the detection limit of othercommon methods, e.g., gas chromatography (GC) and high pressure liquidchromatography (HPLC). Further, the removal of volatile impurities inthe oil such as, for example but not limited to, aldehydes, ketones andacids, phospholipids, sterol glucosides, natural surfactants, nickel,etc., which can contribute to odor, taste, color and significantlyimpact candle burn properties, can be controlled via surface tension.Accordingly, once the desired surface tension is achieved, it can be anindication that the desired wax composition or candle formulation hasbeen achieved.

In some aspects, the surface tension can range between about 25 dynes/cmto about 30 dynes/cm. In some aspects, the surface tension can rangebetween about 27 dynes/cm to about 30 dynes/cm. In some aspects, thesurface tension can range between about 28 dynes/cm to about 30dynes/cm. In some aspects, the surface tension can range between about29.1 dynes/cm to about 30 dynes/cm, about 29.2 dynes/cm to about 30dynes/cm, about 29.3 dynes/cm to about 30 dynes/cm, and 29.3 dynes/cm toabout 29.9 dynes.

It shall be understood that in some aspects, the wax composition maycomprise nickel that can be difficult to remove, as such nickel isusually in solution or in a finely divided state. The nickel content maybe as high as 50 ppm and sometimes up to 100 ppm in nickel. Theseresidual traces of nickel often occur in the form of soap and/or ascolloidal metal. For various reasons, i.e. to prevent oxidation, it isdesirable for the nickel content of the modified natural oil to be low,often below 1 ppm nickel. Also, the presence of nickel in a modifiednatural oil can have an effect on the burn performance of a candle(soot, height, size, rate, carbon heading, etc.). In certain aspects,the presence of nickel may affect the coloration and/or burn performanceof candles made from the wax composition described herein by causingwick clogging, irregular flames and/or flame heights, poor fragranceinteractions deleterious component (fragrance, surfactants, etc.)interactions, or a combinations of these issues

Accordingly, monitoring the various steps of the candle manufacturingprocess until the desired surface tension is achieved in combinationwith monitoring nickel content until both the desired surface tension isachieved and a nickel content less than 0.5 ppm, and in some aspectsless than 0.2 ppm, and in some aspects less than 0.1 ppm, is achievedalso provides improved rate of consumption and flame height propertiesfor candles. While low nickel content is preferred, it shall also beunderstood as well that instances with high nickel content ranges, forexample up to 50 ppm, can still provide desirable burn properties ifsurface tension is monitored and controlled within the above ranges.

Additionally, coupling the monitoring and control of surface tensionwith monitoring and controlling dissipation factor until both adissipation factor (measured at 70° C. using ASTM method D924-08)ranging from about 0.0001 to about of 0.0600 and the desired surfacetension is achieved also provides consistent candle burn properties,e.g., improved rate of consumption and flame height properties. In otheraspects, monitoring and controlling all three propertiessimultaneously—surface tension, nickel content, dissipation factor—toachieve values within the articulated desired ranges for each propertyalso provides improved burn performance, e.g., rate of consumption andflame height properties.

In some aspects, a near-infrared (“Near IR”) spectroscopy method with apartially squares algorithm can be used to accelerate the testing andmonitoring of surface tension, nickel content, and/or dissipation factoras Near IR provides a rapid predication via correlation of prior Near IRand dissipation factor data (or other).

The various aspects described above, produce a candle wax compositionhaving a rate of consumption (“ROC”) ranging from about 3 to about 4grams per hour of burn and in preferred aspects, from about 3.25 toabout 3.75 grams per hour of burn. Furthermore, the aspects produce acandle wax composition having a flame height ranging from about 0.25inches to about 1.5 inches, more preferably from about 0.5 inches toabout 1.5 inches, and even more preferably from about 0.5 inches toabout 1.25 inches.

Additives to the Wax Composition

In certain aspects, the wax composition may comprise at least oneadditive selected from the group consisting of: wax-fusion enhancingadditives, coloring agents, surface tension modifiers, scenting agents,migration inhibitors, free fatty acids, surfactants, co-surfactants,emulsifiers, anti-oxidants, additional optimal wax ingredients, andcombinations thereof. In certain aspects, the additive(s) may compriseupwards of approximately 30 percent by weight, upwards of approximately5 percent by weight, or upwards of approximately 0.1 percent by weightof the wax composition.

In certain aspects, the wax composition can incorporate a wax-fusionenhancing type of additive selected from the group consisting of benzylbenzoate, dimethyl phthalate, dimethyl adipate, isobornyl acetate,cellulose acetate, glucose pentaacetate, pentaerythritol tetraacetate,trimethyl-s-trioxane, N-methylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycols andmixtures thereof. In certain aspects, the wax composition comprisesbetween approximately 0.1 percent by weight and approximately 5 percentby weight of a wax-fusion enhancing type of additive.

In certain aspects, one or more dyes or pigments (herein “coloringagents”) may be added to the wax composition to provide the desired hueto the candle. In certain aspects, the wax composition comprises betweenabout approximately 0.001 percent by weight and approximately 2 percentby weight of the coloring agent. If a pigment is employed for thecoloring agent, it is typically an organic toner in the form of a finepowder suspended in a liquid medium, such as a mineral oil. It may beadvantageous to use a pigment that is in the form of fine particlessuspended in a natural oil, e.g., a vegetable oil such as palm orsoybean oil. The pigment is typically a finely ground, organic toner sothat the wick of a candle formed eventually from pigment-covered waxparticles does not clog as the wax is burned. Pigments, even in finelyground toner forms, are generally in colloidal suspension in a carrier.

A variety of pigments and dyes suitable for candle making are listed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,614,625, the disclosure of which is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety. In certain aspects, the carrier for usewith organic dyes is an organic solvent, such as a relatively lowmolecular weight, aromatic hydrocarbon solvent (e.g., toluene andxylene).

In other aspects, one or more perfumes, fragrances, essences, or otheraromatic oils (herein “scenting agents”) may be added to the waxcomposition to provide the desired odor to the wax composition. Incertain aspects, the wax composition comprises between aboutapproximately 1 percent by weight and approximately 15 percent by weightof the scenting agent. The coloring and scenting agents generally mayalso include liquid carriers that vary depending upon the type of color-or scent-imparting ingredient employed. In certain aspects, the use ofliquid organic carriers with coloring and scenting agents is preferredbecause such carriers are compatible with petroleum-based waxes andrelated organic materials. As a result, such coloring and scentingagents tend to be readily absorbed into the wax composition material.

In certain aspects, the scenting agent may be an air freshener, aninsect repellent, or mixture thereof. In certain aspects, the airfreshener scenting agent is a liquid fragrance comprising one or morevolatile organic compounds, including those commercially available fromperfumery suppliers such as: IFF, Firmenich Inc., Takasago Inc., Belmay,Symrise Inc, Noville Inc., Quest Co., and Givaudan-Roure Corp. Mostconventional fragrance materials are volatile essential oils. Thefragrance can be a synthetically formed material, or a naturally derivedoil such as oil of bergamot, bitter orange, lemon, mandarin, caraway,cedar leaf, clove leaf, cedar wood, geranium, lavender, orange,origanum, petitgrain, white cedar, patchouli, lavandin, neroli, rose,and the like.

In other aspects, the scenting agent may be selected from a wide varietyof chemicals such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols, terpenes, andthe like. The scenting agent can be relatively simple in composition, orcan be a complex mixture of natural and synthetic chemical components. Atypical scented oil can comprise woody/earthy bases containing exoticconstituents such as sandalwood oil, civet, patchouli oil, and the like.A scented oil can have a light floral fragrance, such as rose extract orviolet extract. Scented oil also can be formulated to provide desirablefruity odors, such as lime, lemon, or orange.

In yet other aspects, the scenting agent can comprise a synthetic typeof fragrance composition either alone or in combination with naturaloils such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,314,915; 4,411,829; and4,434,306; incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Otherartificial liquid fragrances include geraniol, geranyl acetate, eugenol,isoeugenol, linalool, linalyl acetate, phenethyl alcohol, methyl ethylketone, methylionone, isobornyl acetate, and the like. The scentingagent can also be a liquid formulation containing an insect repellentsuch as citronellal, or a therapeutic agent such as eucalyptus ormenthol.

In certain aspects, a “migration inhibitor” additive may be included inthe wax composition to decrease the tendency of colorants, fragrancecomponents, and/or other components of the wax from migrating to theouter surface of a candle. In certain aspects, the migration inhibitoris a polymerized alpha olefin. In certain aspects, the polymerized alphaolefin has at least 10 carbon atoms. In another aspect, the polymerizedalpha olefin has between 10 and 25 carbon atoms. One suitable example ofsuch a polymer is a hyper-branched alpha olefin polymer sold under thetrade name Vybar® 103 polymer (mp 168.degree. F. (circa 76.degree. C.);commercially available from Baker-Petrolite, Sugarland, Tex., USA).

In certain aspects, the inclusion of sorbitan triesters, such assorbitan tristearate and/or sorbitan tripalmitate, and related sorbitantriesters formed from mixtures of fully hydrogenated fatty acids, and/orpolysorbate triesters or monoesters such as polysorbate tristearateand/or polysorbate tripalmitate and related polysorbates formed frommixtures of fully hydrogenated fatty acids and/or polysorbatemonostearate and/or polysorbate monopalmitate and related polysorbatesformed from mixtures of fully hydrogenated fatty acids in the waxcomposition may also decrease the propensity of colorants, fragrancecomponents, and/or other components of the wax from migrating to thecandle surface. The inclusion of either of these types of migrationinhibitors can also enhance the flexibility of the wax composition anddecrease its chances of cracking during the cooling processes that occurin candle formation and after extinguishing the flame of a burningcandle.

In certain aspects, the wax composition may include betweenapproximately 0.1 percent by weight and approximately 5.0 percent byweight of a migration inhibitor (such as a polymerized alpha olefin). Inanother aspect, the wax composition may include between approximately0.1 percent by weight and approximately 2.0 percent by weight of amigration inhibitor.

In another aspect, the wax composition may include an additional optimalwax ingredient, including without limitation, creature waxes such asbeeswax, lanolin, shellac wax, Chinese insect wax, and spermaceti,various types of plant waxes such as carnauba, candelila, Japan wax,ouricury wax, rice-bran wax, jojoba wax, castor wax, bayberry wax, sugarcane wax, and maize wax), and synthetic waxes such as polyethylene wax,Fischer-Tropsch wax, chlorinated naphthalene wax, chemically modifiedwax, substituted amide wax, montan wax, alpha olefins and polymerizedalpha olefin wax. In certain aspects, the wax composition may includeupward of approximately 25 percent by weight, upward of approximately 10percent by weight, or upward of approximately 1 percent by weight of theadditional optimal wax ingredient.

In certain aspects, the wax composition may include a surfactant. Incertain aspects, the wax composition may include upward of approximately25 percent by weight of a surfactant, upward of approximately 10 percentby weight, or upward of approximately 1 percent by weight of asurfactant. A non-limiting listing of surfactants includes: silanes,siloxanes, polyether siloxane, alkyl siloxanes, polyoxyethylene sorbitantrioleate, such as Tween 85, commercially available from Acros Organics;polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, such as Tween 80, commerciallyavailable from Acros Organics and Uniqema; sorbitan tristearate, such asDurTan 65, commercially available from Loders Croklann, Grindsted STS 30K commercially available from Danisco, and Tween 65 commerciallyavailable from Acros Organics and Uniqema; sorbitan monostearate, suchas Tween 60 commercially available from Acros Organics and Uniqema,DurTan 60 commercially available from Loders Croklann, and GrindstedSMS, commercially available from Danisco; Polyoxyethylene sorbitanmonopalmitate, such as Tween 40, commercially available from AcrosOrganics and Uniqema; and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, such asTween 20, commercially available from Acros Organics and Uniqema.

In additional aspects, an additional surfactant (i.e., a“co-surfactant”) may be added in order to improve the microstructure(texture) and/or stability (shelf life) of emulsified wax compositions.In certain aspects, the wax composition may include upward ofapproximately 5 percent by weight of a co-surfactant. In another aspect,the wax composition may include upward of approximately 0.1 percent byweight of a co-surfactant. As described, surface tension can be used tocontrol the manufacture of the candle wax composition and the finishedcandle formulation Furthermore, it shall be understood that surfacetension modifiers can be used as necessary to further control or adjustsurface tension during the manufacture of the candle wax composition orthe finished candle formulation. Exemplary surface tension modifiers caninclude but are not limited to organomodified siloxanes such as theTEGOPREN® products (e.g., TEGOPREN® 5863, 5840, 6813, 5803). Thesesurface tension modifier additives, when used, are commonly added inamounts less than 0.01 wt % of the wax composition.

EXAMPLES

All samples were prepared and measured following ASTM D1331-14, MethodC-Surface Tension by Wilhelmy plate at a temperature of 70° C. to keepthe samples in molten form.

Molten samples of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil were measured forsurface tension.

See FIG. 1 for a comparison of partially hydrogenated vegetable oilcompared against one with a nickel content greater than 0.2 wt %. SeeFIG. 2 for a comparison of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil comparedagainst a partially hydrogenated vegetable oil treated with surfacetension modifier, siloxane. Note the siloxane additive is present inamounts of 0.15 wt %, 0.1 wt %, 0.05 wt %, and 0.01 wt %, wherein thesurface tension value increases as the siloxane additive amountdecreases, respectively. FIG. 2 illustrates how surface tensionmodifiers can manipulate ROC.

1. A method of using surface tension to control the manufacture ofcandles, comprising purifying a modified natural oil until a surfacetension ranging from 20-30 dynes/cm is achieved.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the surface tension ranges from 29.1-30 dynes/cm.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the surface tension ranges from 29.2-30dynes/cm.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface tension rangesfrom 29.3-29.9 dynes/cm.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisingpurifying the modified natural oil until a surface tension ranging from20-30 dynes/cm and a nickel content less than 0.5 ppm is achieved. 6.The method of claim 1, further comprising purifying the modified naturaloil until a surface tension ranging from 20-30 dynes/cm and a nickelcontent less than 0.2 ppm is achieved.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising purifying the modified natural oil until a surface tensionranging from 20-30 dynes/cm and a nickel content less than 0.1 ppm isachieved.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising purifying themodified natural oil until a surface tension ranging from 20-30 dynes/cmand dissipation factor ranging from 0.0001-0.0600 is achieved.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising purifying the modified natural oiluntil a surface tension ranging from 20-30 dynes/cm, a dissipationfactor ranging from 0.0001-0.0600, and a nickel content less than 0.5ppm is achieved.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the rate ofconsumption of the candle ranges from 3-4 grams per hour.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein the rate of consumption of the candle ranges from3.25-3.75 grams per hour.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the candlehas a flame height ranging from 0.25-1.5 inches.
 13. The method of claim1, wherein the natural oil is selected from the group consisting ofcanola oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, oliveoil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil,sunflower oil, linseed oil, palm kernel oil, tung oil, jatropha oil,mustard oil, camelina oil, pennycress oil, castor oil, or mixturesthereof.
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled) 18.The method of claim 1, comprising purifying a blend of a modifiednatural oil and paraffin, wherein paraffin is present in a majorityamount.
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. (canceled)
 22. A method ofusing surface tension to control the manufacture of candles, comprisingfinishing a candle wax composition until a surface tension ranging from20-30 dynes/cm is achieved.
 23. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising finishing a candle wax composition until a surface tensionranging from 20-30 dynes/cm and a nickel content less than 0.5 ppm isachieved.
 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising finishing acandle wax composition until a surface tension ranging from 20-30dynes/cm and dissipation factor ranging from 0.0001-0.0600 is achieved.25. The method of claim 22, further comprising finishing a candle waxcomposition until a surface tension ranging from 20-30 dynes/cm, adissipation factor ranging from 0.0001-0.0600, and a nickel content lessthan 0.5 ppm is achieved.
 26. The method of claim 22 wherein a surfacetension modifier is added during the finishing step.
 27. (canceled) 28.(canceled)
 29. (canceled)